Basic tools for touring

[Andy in Germany]

I realise that there's probably another thread for this, and that it's pretty much a "How long is a piece of string?" question, but I'm wondering what other people would consider 'basic' tools for a tour.

If our planned tour to Japan goes ahead, we'll be using the same reconditioned 90's era steel MTB's that we usually do. They are due for new tyres and we'll probably use Schwalbe Marathon Plus as I've been using those for years and not had any problems that were not self inflicted. Apart from this I'd carry pretty much the same as I do now:

Spanners for removing wheels/pedals.
Several hex keys because one set can't get at everything on the bike:
'L' shaped Hex key set
Three way hex key set 4/5/6mm
'T' Hex key 5mm
Crosshead screwdrivers

Pump
Puncture repair kit/tyre levers

Spares:
Cables
V-Brake blocks

What would you add?

 

[Racing roadkill]

Wet wipes.

 

[Bored Man]

Spoke key
Chain breaker

 

[raleighnut]

An inner tube or 2.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Quick Link
Cable Ties
Duct Tape
Nitrile Gloves
Knife
Small bottle of lube
Spare inner tubes

Tool roll works nicely for all the above and more.

 

[Spiderweb]

I’m not sure you would need a spare set of brake blocks, they last forever!
Just make sure they are decent before you set off.

 

[Cycleops]

IMHO one of these is essential. Includes a chain breaker. This is from Crank Bros.

 

[Dave Davenport]

I've had problems trying to use a chain splitter that's part of a multi-tool so carry a separate one, only thing I can think of that hasn't already been mentioned is a tyre boot or two.

 

[Pale Rider]

Spare spokes.

One of the Dawes Galaxy touring bikes comes with a couple of spokes clipped to the chainstay.

Alternatively, I believe you can get a universal spare spoke in the shape of a flexible wire you can fit and tension.

No idea how well they work.

 

[Andy in Germany]

How often have chains been known to break? I've only had it happen once and that was because I installed it badly, so it exploded all over the road a couple of K's from my apartment.

only thing I can think of that hasn't already been mentioned is a tyre boot or two.

Is a "Tyre boot" like a tyre lever? And am I the only person who has three which are all different designs?

 

[alicat]

A tyre boot is something that you can put inside the tyre to stop a bulge getting bigger until you can replace the tyre. I use cloth from an old airbed. No idea if that is strong enough.

Edit - apparently and perhaps obviously, it's to repair a small cut until you can replace the tyre.

Here is Park Tools' offering. I still favour finding something homemade.

 

[Andy in Germany]

IMHO one of these is essential. Includes a chain breaker. This is from Crank Bros.

View attachment 441607

What are those called?

 

[Andy in Germany]

A tyre boot is something that you can put inside the tyre to stop a bulge getting bigger until you can replace the tyre. I use cloth from an old airbed. No idea if that is strong enough.

Thanks. Looked it up after your description, and it makes sense now.

 

[greenmark]

credit card
nothing else.

 

[Dave Davenport]

credit card
nothing else.

A credit card is too stiff to use as a tyre boot, whereas one of the new fivers is just the job, stick to cash!